athenian democracy
Democracy was not the first type of government present in Athens. Before democracy, Athens was ruled by a few, wealthy elite called tyrants. This oligarchy limited the power to a very few people.
Democracy, on the other hand, was a government designed to serve the people. Unlike our representative democracy today, in which we choose representatives to vote on elections and issues, back in Athens, citizens would assemble and openly vote directly. That’s why their democracy was known as a direct democracy.
Democracy in Greece was limited, however. Only citizens could participate in the democracy, and in order to be a citizen, one must be a man born in Athens.
“Our plan of government favors the many instead of the few: that is why it is called a democracy. As for social standing, advancement is open to every citizen, according to ability. While every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve the public, we reward our most distinguished citizens by asking them to make our political decisions. Nor do we discriminate against the poor. A man may serve his country no matter how low his position on the social scale.” - Pericles
Democracy, on the other hand, was a government designed to serve the people. Unlike our representative democracy today, in which we choose representatives to vote on elections and issues, back in Athens, citizens would assemble and openly vote directly. That’s why their democracy was known as a direct democracy.
Democracy in Greece was limited, however. Only citizens could participate in the democracy, and in order to be a citizen, one must be a man born in Athens.
“Our plan of government favors the many instead of the few: that is why it is called a democracy. As for social standing, advancement is open to every citizen, according to ability. While every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve the public, we reward our most distinguished citizens by asking them to make our political decisions. Nor do we discriminate against the poor. A man may serve his country no matter how low his position on the social scale.” - Pericles